Home remedies gone bad can make burns, cuts, and poisonings worse. Learn which eight DIY treatments to skip and what to do instead.
You touch a hot pan and hear someone say, “Put butter on it.” It’s the kind of advice that gets passed down because the ingredient is already within reach. The best first step, though, is to turn on the tap. For a fresh thermal burn, the NHS recommends cooling the skin under running water for 20 minutes and keeping butter off the burn. NHS guidance on burns and scalds
Home remedies gone bad often start with a familiar product used for the wrong job. Sometimes the result is irritated skin or damaged tooth enamel. In a poisoning, the wrong step can make the exposure more dangerous. Here are eight common examples and the actions you can take in their place.
8 Examples of Home Remedies Gone Bad
| Home remedy | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Butter on a burn | Cool a fresh thermal burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. |
| Kerosene to make a child vomit | Contact a poison center immediately after a suspected exposure. |
| Castor oil for recurring constipation | Ask a pharmacist or clinician about options and what may be causing it. |
| “Spanish fly” as an aphrodisiac | Avoid products containing cantharidin. Seek advice for ongoing sexual health concerns. |
| Hydrogen peroxide on a cut | Rinse a minor cut or scrape with running water. |
| Apple cider vinegar for weight loss | Skip the vinegar shots. If you like the taste, use vinegar in food. |
| Syrup of ipecac after a suspected poisoning | Call a poison center and follow its instructions. |
| Kerosene for head lice | Confirm live lice and choose a treatment appropriate for the child’s age. |
1. Putting Butter on a Burn
When you burn yourself on a pan or spill a hot drink, cool the affected skin under cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as you can. Remove rings, jewelry, or clothing near the burn if they come away easily. Leave anything stuck to the skin in place. Skip butter, oils, and creams on a fresh burn. NHS guidance on burns and scalds
A large or deep burn, a burn on the face or genitals, or a burn caused by chemicals or electricity needs urgent medical assessment. If you’re unsure how serious a child’s burn is, get medical advice promptly. NHS guidance on burns and scalds
2. Giving Kerosene to Make a Child Vomit
Never give a child kerosene, sometimes called paraffin or paraffin oil in this context, to make them vomit. If the fuel enters the lungs during swallowing or vomiting, it can injure the lungs and cause chemical pneumonia. A child who may have swallowed kerosene needs immediate advice from a poison center. Avoid trying to make them vomit. If they have trouble breathing, call emergency services right away. Poison Control on household hydrocarbons · Poisoning first aid
3. Relying on Castor Oil for Constipation
Oral castor oil sold as a stimulant laxative can relieve occasional constipation. One U.S. product label warns against using it for longer than a week. If you regularly reach for a laxative, a clinician or pharmacist can help you review your symptoms and your medicines. Adding fiber gradually and drinking enough fluids can help with constipation. Seek medical care promptly if you notice blood in your stool or have constant abdominal pain. DailyMed castor oil label · NIDDK on constipation symptoms and causes · NIDDK on diet and constipation
4. Taking “Spanish Fly” as an Aphrodisiac
The traditional substance sold as “Spanish fly” contains cantharidin, a toxic compound from blister beetles. Swallowing it has caused serious poisoning, including gastrointestinal injury and kidney damage. If you or someone else may have swallowed a product containing cantharidin, call a poison center promptly. For persistent changes in sexual desire or function, speak with a healthcare professional. Published report on cantharidin poisoning · Case report on kidney injury
5. Pouring Hydrogen Peroxide on a Cut
Bubbles can make hydrogen peroxide look like the most thorough way to clean a scrape. It can irritate an open wound, so the Mayo Clinic recommends using running water for a minor cut. Wash your hands first, stop bleeding with gentle pressure if needed, and use soap on the surrounding skin. If the wound needs protection, apply a clean bandage. Get medical advice if pain, warmth, swelling, or drainage increases, or if you can’t remove debris from the wound. Mayo Clinic first aid for cuts and scrapes
6. Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss
Research hasn’t shown that drinking apple cider vinegar leads to meaningful, lasting weight loss. Frequent exposure to acidic drinks can also wear down tooth enamel. If you’ve had an acidic drink, rinse your mouth with plain water and avoid brushing immediately afterward. If you like the flavor of vinegar, use it in vinaigrette or another recipe. Mayo Clinic on apple cider vinegar and weight loss · American Dental Association on dental erosion
7. Using Syrup of Ipecac After a Suspected Poisoning
If you find a child beside an open medicine bottle or cleaning product, call a poison center right away. Keep the container or label nearby so you can give the specialist the product name. Leave syrup of ipecac out of the response and avoid making the child vomit. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222. Elsewhere, contact your local poison center. Call your local emergency number immediately if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened. Poison Control first-aid guidelines
8. Treating Head Lice With Kerosene
Kerosene is highly flammable and should never be applied to anyone’s hair or scalp for lice. Before starting treatment, look for a live crawling louse. Eggs or empty egg casings can be easy to confuse with dandruff or other debris. A pharmacist or pediatrician can help you choose a lice treatment that’s appropriate for the child’s age. Check the directions for whether the treatment needs to be repeated and when. American Academy of Pediatrics on head lice myths · CDC on head lice treatment
Home Remedies Gone Bad: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put ice on a burn?
Use cool running water for 20 minutes for a fresh thermal burn and keep ice off the skin. If a burn looks deep or covers a large area, seek urgent care while getting help with first aid. NHS burn first-aid guidance
Should I wait for symptoms if a child may have swallowed something toxic?
Call a poison center as soon as you suspect an exposure, even if the child seems fine. Have the product label, the child’s age, and any information about the amount and timing ready. The specialist can advise you based on the substance and the circumstances. Poison Control first-aid guidelines
Does a minor cut need an antiseptic?
For a small everyday cut, start by rinsing with running water. If the cut is deep or dirty, ask a healthcare professional whether you need additional care or a tetanus booster. Watch for changes around the wound, such as spreading discoloration, increasing pain, or drainage. Mayo Clinic first aid for cuts and scrapes
What if head lice are still moving after treatment?
Check the treatment label before applying another dose. The CDC notes that a few slowly moving lice can still be present eight to twelve hours after treatment. If you find no dead lice or the live ones are as active as before, ask a healthcare professional whether you need a different product before treating again. Also check household members and close contacts. The CDC advises treating people with an active infestation and those who share a bed with them at the same time. CDC on head lice treatment
Share the First-Aid Advice You’d Want Someone to Remember
If someone burns a hand in the kitchen, help them get to cool running water. If a child may have swallowed something harmful, keep the label handy and call for expert advice. Both steps are worth remembering before you need them.
Share this article with someone who looks after children or keeps a first-aid kit at home. You can also find more articles in our Natural Remedies collection.
